Gardeners' Notes:

Has rosettes of densely hairy, yellowish green, pinnasect leaves. The stem leaves are just as hairy but often entire or pinnatifid. Bears silky, slightly nodding, large flowers that are in shades between pink, red and purple, occasionally white or yellow forms can be seen.

Flowers Late May - July

Needs a moist but well drained, humus rich, neutral to acid soil. It hates being waterlogged or dry and needs a cool damp summer to do well. Prefers a lightly shaded, sheltered area.

The plant is monocarpic so don't be too quick to see it flower. Encourage it to produce several rosettes and pinch out all flowering shoots until it has formed a reasonable sized clump. Allow a couple of rosettes t... read moreo flower and (hopefully) only the flowered crowns will die and not the entire clump.